Apparatus for successively processing continuously connected textile fabric

ABSTRACT

A continuously connected textile fabric having seams at predeterined intervals is fed along its length to a succesive processing apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of squeezing rollers and a textile feeding path comprising a plurality of processing liquid tanks arrayed in turn, and seam detecting limit switches are provided at the places of the squeezing rollers, with the distance of the path between adjacent limit switches being chosen to be almost the same as the interval of said seams. In a state where the seams are positioned at the squeezing rollers, and thus at the limit switches, all the squeezing rollers are driven in a forward direction at once and after a predetermined relatively large forward travelling amount, they are driven in a backward direction by a predetermined relatively small backward travelling amount, the difference between the forward and backward travelling amounts being chosen to be approximately equivalent to a distance of the interval of said seams divided by an integer. During the final backward driving operation in one full cycle of the forward and backward reciprocating operations for the number of times of said integer, said limit switches are enabled and according to the order of arrival the seams drive the limit switches to bring the squeezing rollers to a stop. When all the squeezing rollers are brought to a stop, the limit switches are disabled to repeat again said operation cycle. Thus, during the reciprocating operation for the number of times of said integer, the textile fabric is fed in the forward direction by the interval of said seams while being processed, and the slip produced therebetween is compensated by the stop of every squeezing roller responding to each of the limit switches.

United States Patent [191 Tachibana et al.

22 Filed: Oct.26, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 410,117

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 28, 1972 Japan 47-108156 [52] U.S. Cl. 68/22 R, 68/13 R, 118/6, 118/419 [51] Int. Cl... B05c 3/152, B05c 3/178, BOSc 11/124 [58] Field of Search 68/13 R, 22 R, 5 D, 5 E, 68/175, 177; 118/6, 419; 34/23, 52; 432/36;

199, 200, 238; ZOO/61.14; 26/24 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,543,368 6/1925 Carrier 34/52 3,447,213 6/1969 Dost et a1. 28/51 3,700,404 10/1972 Janisch et a1. 68/22 R X 3,728,878 4/1973 Trullas 68/13 R X 3,748,414 7/1973 Holm ZOO/61.14 X

Primary Examiner-Robert L. Bleutge Assistant Examiner-Philip R. Coe Anorney, Agent, or Firm-Staas & Halsey [451 Nov. 19, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A continuously connected textile fabric having seams at predeterined intervals is fed along its length to a succesive processing apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of squeezing rollers and a textile feeding path comprising a plurality of processing liquid tanks arrayed in turn, and seam detecting limit switches are provided at the places of the squeezing rollers, with the distance of the path between adjacent limit switches being chosen to be almost the same as the interval of said seams. 1n a state where the seams are positioned at the squeezing rollers, and thus at the limit switches, all the squeezing rollers are driven in a forward direction at once and after a predetermined relatively large forward travelling amount, they are driven in a backward direction by a predetermined relatively small backward travelling amount, the difference between the forward and backward travelling amounts being chosen to be approximately equivalent to a distance of the interval of said seams divided by an number of times of said integerith e textile fabric is fed in the forward direction by the interval of said seams while being processed, and the slip produced therebetween is compensated by the stop of every squeezing roller responding to each of the limit switches.

20 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTELHBVIQIQM 8.848.488

SHEET 5 OF 5 i388 wi 1388C 8858 58 58% 9 88 5 Q5 Q5 Q5 Q5 Q $5 $8 $5 35588 tEQ 88 38828688 E APPARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY PROCESSING CONTINUOUSLY CONNECTED TEXTILE FABRIC BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for successively processing a continuously connected textile fabric, and more particularly, to an apparatus which is improved to avoid the undesirable slacking of the processed material caused during the successive processing operation thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art Conventionally, an apparatus for successive processing operation has been proposed wherein a continuously connected textile fabric is fed into a processing liquid for successive processing. In one example of the successive processing apparatus of the prior art, for example, a continuously connected cloth is fed into a processing apparatus in a rope-like form, for example, and a washing operation is performed While alternately repeating the forward and backward movement so that the forward travelling amount thereof may be greater than the backward travelling amount thereof. In such a processing apparatus, a plurality of squeezing rollers are provided to let the squeezing and wash-processing operation to be performed alternately, and processing chambers are provided between the rollers. In such a processing apparatus, the slacking amount of the cloth in each processing chamber changes due to slipping produced between the cloth and the rollers. As the slacking amount thereof is increased, the cloth clogs within the processing chamber and creases are caused by twist thereof. Accordingly, the cloth texture is adversely affected, and also the quality thereof is deteriorated because of excessive withdrawing tension forces which are exerted upon the clogging cloth. The smaller slacking amount thereof may cause the cloth to be cut or the processing chamber to be damaged in an extreme case.

In order to solve the above problems, it has been suggested that a variable speed motor be provided on each squeezing roller, and the rotation speed of each squeezing roller be controlled in accordance with the slacking amount of the cloth in the processing chamber. However, such an automatic controlling mechanism becomes complicated and accordingly is expensive. Moreover, the correct controlling operation thereof is difficult, considering the detection of the slacking amount thereof. For example, in order to detect the slacking amount thereof, a feeler is projected inside the processing chamber and the slacking amount thereof is monitored for control through detection by means of the feeler. However, physical contact of the feeler with the cloth exerts unfavorable influences upon the cloth, and the operation thereof becomes unreliable. Accord- SUMMARY vOF THE INVENTION In order to solve the disadvantages of the conventional processing apparatus, an improved system is proposed wherein in order to effect successive treatments of washing, scouring, bleaching, dyeing, relaxing and the like of a textile fabric by repeating the process such as in the impregnation of a textile fabric with the treatment liquid and then squeezing out the liquid from the cloth, in succession and for a plurality of times, preferably while alternately forwardly and backwardly moving the continuously connected'textile fabric, a plurality of processing chambers are provided in a series arrangement for receiving the textile fabric, and the slacking amount of the textile fabric received in each processing chamber is controlled to a given amount.

Briefly stated, according to the present invention, advantage is taken of the fact that a seam is normally provided, at predetermined intervals, onthe continuously connected textile fabric, and thus the seam presents a thickened portion as compared with the other portions of the fabrics. Upon passing of the textile fabric between the squeezing rollers and through the processing chamber, the detectable portions such as the thickened seams are detected to control the feeding operation of each portion. The slacking amount of the textile fabric in the processing chamber is controlled by, at least,

controlling the reciprocal feeding operation of the detectable portion in a given relation.

Therefore, a principle object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for processing a continuously connected textile fabric having detectable portions at predetermined intervals, in accordance with the controlled feeding of said textile fabric in forward and backward directions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for efficiently processing, without causing irregularity in the processing operation, a continuously connected textile fabric having detectable portions at predetermined intervals in accordance with the controlled feeding of said textile fabric in forward and backward directions.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more aparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the structure of an apparatus for successively processing a continuously connected textile fabric in which the present invention is advantageously embodied,

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram for a counter for counting a forward/backward reciprocating operation, and for a forward/backward time setting circuit,

ingly, it is difficult to use the feeler for detection of the FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram for a forward/backward circuit and a seam detecting circuit,

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of the forward/backward timesetting circuit of a preferred embodiment for use in lieu of that shown in FIG. 2, and

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a seam detection circuit of a preferred embodiment for alternative use in lieu of that of the FIG. 3 embodiment.

In the drawings, like reference characters designate like parts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a typical successive processing apparatus for continuously connected textile fabric, for which the present invention is advantageously employed. A plurality of squeezing rollers Al to An are serially provided in a given spaced relation, and between these rollers are provided processing chambers B1 to Bn-l where the continuously connected textile fabric which are fed and squeezed by means of rollers are processed, such as by washing. The respective configuration of the processing chambers illustrated is shown by way of example, and should not be construed as a limitation thereof. The processing chambers of proper shapes and constructions such as a tubular type, tank type or the like may be utilized for the object of the present invention. The material C to be processed such as the continuously connected textile fabric is introduced between the sets rollers and passed through the processing chambers. As the textile fabric used for the object of the invention is provided with seams C1 to Cn in a predetermined spaced relation, the seam portions thereof may be detected, because of the thickened portion, by suitable detecting means. However, any suitable detectable element such as a metallic piece may be formed on the material to be processed in a predetermined spaced relation, even if the thickened seams are not formed, and may be detected by the use of means operatively responsing thereto, such as a contactless switch. It is to be pointed out that the present invention also covers such an embodiment.

In the illustrated embodiment, the detectable portion comprises the seam portion on the textile fabric, and the thickened seam portion thereof is used for the purpose of detection. Therefore, limit switches LS1 to LSn (FIG. 3) of a seam detection circuit, which operatively responds to the thickened portion thereof upon passing of the respective seam portions, are provided on the squeezing rollers A1 to An. A full description thereof will be given hereinafter.

It is important that in the illustrated embodiment thereof, the interval from any roller to an adjacent roller through the processing chamber may be set to be substantially commensurate with the interval between the detectable portions on the textile fabric. The reason therefor will become more apparent from the more detailed description of the operation given later. The seam interval is normally a unit length of fabric.

Prior to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the structure and operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to the structure of FIG. 1. As an initial condition, assume a condition where all the seams C1 to Cn of the material C to be processed are respectively grasped by means of squeezing rollers A1 to An, thereby to actuate the limit switches LS1 to LSn, and thus the rollers are respectively in a stop condition. At that time, each unit length of the roll of the material or fabric to be processed (unit length of fabric) is disposed in a corresponding processing chamber. According to the present invention, the feeding operation (initially a forward feeding operation in the disclosed embodiment) of the material to be processed under this condition begins. A seam detection circuit (FIG. 3) is disabled and, the processed material is moved forwards and backwards in a reciprocating manner by repeating the normal forward rotation of the rollers or the reverse rotation thereof, through the reciprocating feed operation thereof. During this period, the material C to be processed is treated in the processing chamber and is squeezed by means of the rollers.

Driving motors (not shown) which are reversibly rotatable are respectively provided on the squeezing rollers A1 to An, and the forward driving and backward driving operation of the squeezing rollers is accomplished by the forward/backward driving circuit in FIG. 3. The forward travelling amount thereof is selected to be longer than the backward travelling amount thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the squeezing rollers are forwardly or backwardly driven at the same speed by means of the same motor, and the forward feeding time is selected to be longer than the backward feeding time. Such forward and backward time periods are set by means of the forward/backward period setting circuit in FIG. 2.

According to the present invention, all the squeezing rollers A1 to An are set to start to drivingly rotate in a normal rotating direction simultaneously upon driving start thereof. As described hereinbefore, since the forward travelling amount is greater than the backward travelling amount while the reciprocating action is repeated as described before, the forward feeding thereof is gradually performed. During this period, as the seam detection circuit is disabled, the seam detection is not performed; Preferably, the amount fed in one reciprocating operation is selected to be the seam interval divided by an integer. However, the amount of material C to be processed, whose seam interval is to be equivalent to one unit length of cloth, are somewhat different in length, individually, and in addition slipping is caused between the material C to be processed and the rollers during the reciprocating operation thereof. Therefore, it is clear that upon completion of the n-th backward action (n L/l), the respective time required for the seams C1 to Cn to be grasped by the successive squeezing rollers A1 to An is individually different, wherein l is a feeding amount by one reciprocating operation and L is a seam interval. Accordingly, the seam detection circuit (FIG. 3) is enabled and the. seams are grasped by means of the squeezing rollers upon completion of the n-th backward operation of the seams C1 to Cn, and rotating the squeezing rollers is terminated, or suspended, individually. Such individual termination, or stop of rotation of each roller is accomplished by controlling the forward/backward driving circuit through outputs of the seam detection circuit (FIG. 3). The full description thereof will be described subsequently.

Upon suspension of rotation of all the squeezing rollers, as described hereinabove, in other words, in response to the logical product of suspension of all squeezing rollers, the forward operation of the N 1st reciprocating action of thesqueezing rollers starts.

The above description is the background with which the present invention is embodied, and the outline of the embodiment. The embodiment of the present ina seam detection bus DB and a ground bus GND in the circuit of FIG. 3.

As described hereinbefore, assume that, as the initial conditions, all the seams CI to Ch of the material C to be processed are respectively grasped by means of the squeezing rollers Al to An., so that the limit switches LS1 to LSn of the seam detection circuit in FIG. 3 are actuated to an open position and thus the rollers are in a disabled state. Such initial setting can be achieved by turning the forward/backward driving circuit (FIG. 3) into, for example, a forward condition as described later thereby to manually close and open the switches SS1 to 88m individually, while visuallyconfirming the respective arrival of the seam to the roller. This will become more apparent as the description about the forward/backward driving circuit (FIG. 3) proceeds.

Under the initial conditions, a counter CT for counting the number of times of the forward operation (abovementioned n) in FIG. v2 is set to zero, a limit switch ACL is off, and a relay Y1 is off. As the relay Y1 is off, b contact Ylbl is on, a contact Yla is off, an on-delay-timer TY1 is also off, a contact TYla is off, and a relay Y3 is also off. As the relay Y3 is off, a contact Y3a1 is off and the seam detection bus is not energized. Accordingly, the seam detection circuit in FIG. 3 is in a disabled state. Simultaneously, as a contact Y3a2 is off, a relay Y2 is also off, a contact (2a is also off, and an on-delay-timer TY 2 is also off. As a contact TY2a is off, the resetting coil ACR for the counter CT is also off.

Upon depressing a push button FBI in FIG. 2 to start the system, a relay R0 turns on, and accordingly a contact R01 turns on so that relay is self-held. Simultaneously, a contact R112 turns on and aforwardLbackward time setting circuit (righthand side in FIG. 2) and a forward/backward driving circuit, in FIG. 3, are enabled. As b contact R22b of a relay R22 (described later) is on, a relay R1 of a forward side circuit in the time setting circuit, and the on-delay-timers T1 and T11 thereof turn on. With turning on of the relay R1,

a contact Rlal turns on, and thus the forward bus FB (right above in FIG. 2, and left above in FIG. 3) is energized.

Upon energization of the forward bus FB, magnet switches MP1 to MFn turn on to drivingly advance a motor (not shown). At that time, b contacts mfl to mfn (FIG. 3) for switches MP1 to MFn are open thereby to open the circuit of magnet switches MBl to MBn to insure that the motor may not be backwardly driven.

As described hereinabove, on condition of the relay R1 (FIG. 2) causes a contact R1a2 to turn on to operate a counter counting coil AC of the counter CT, whereby the forward operation frequency n is counted.

The on-delay-timer T1 is operated after a given delay time of the forward operation, and b contact Tlb turns off. Accordingly, the relay R1 also becomes off. Accordingly, a contact Rlal turns off, and energization of the forward bus PE is terminated. The switches MFl to MFn turn off, whereby the forward operation is suspended. Simultaneously, b contacts mfl to mfn (FIG. 3) turn on. The on-delay-timer T11 is connected in parallel to the timer T1, and the delay time of the timer T11 is selected longer than that of the timer T1. The length thereof is selected so that the timer T11 may turn on after b contact Tlb of the timer T1 has been off, forward operation has been suspended, and the rotation by inertia of the motor at that time has been suspended completely. The contact T1 1a turns on after the delay time of the timer T11, and the relay R2 and i the timer T2 turn on, while the relay R2 now is self-held with a contact R2a2 being on. At that time, a contact R2a1 turns on and the backward bus BB (right above in FIG. 2 and left above in FIG. 3) is energized simultaneously. Also, simultaneously a contact R2a3 turns on. A relay R22 is self-held through function of a contact R22a while the on-delay-timer T22 turns on.

In the preferred embodiment, the timer T11 is provided as described hereinabove, and therefore after the delay time provided thereby, namely, after the forward operation has been suspended, and the forward feeding by means of the motor inertia has been completely suspended, the backward bus BB is energized. Thus, unreasonable reverse driving forces are not exerted to the motor or the feeding mechanism.

Upon energization of the backward bus BB, the magnetic switches MBl to MBn turn on, thereby to backwardly drive the motor, and thus the roller. As described hereinbefore, at that time, switches MP1 to MFn are not energized and accordingly b contacts mfl to mfn turn on. Also, at that time, b contacts mbl to mbn of switches MBl to MBn open thereby to open the circuit of the magnet switches MFl to MFn to insure that the motor may not be forwardly driven.

The relay R2 and the timer T2 are energized and b 7 contact T2b turns off after the delay time of the timer T2. Accordingly, the relay R2 turns off, anda contact R2a2 opens to release the self-holding. Simultaneously, as a contact R2al opens, the backward bus BB is not energized, and the switches MBl to MBn turn off, whereby the motor is suspended. Simultaneously, a contact R2a3 also opens. Since the b contact T22b turns off after the delay time of the timer T22 and the contact R2a3 is off, the relay R22 turns off to open the contact R22a to release the self-holding.

In the preferred embodiment, the timer T22 is provided as described hereinabove, and the delay time of the timer T22 is selected to be longer than that of the timer T2. The length thereof is selected so that the timer T22 may be on after b contact T2b of the timer T2 has been off, the backward operation has been suspended, and the rotation of the motor inertia has been also suspended completely. Accordingly, unreasonable reverse driving force is not exerted to the motor or the feeding mechanism upon re-opening of the forward operation (described later).

As the relay R22 turns off, a b contact R22b turns on, and the relay R1, and the timers T1, T11 turn on, whereby the initial condition is restored. Thereafter, the similar operations are repeated. The forward and backward operations of the squeezing rollers are thus repeated.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the delay time of the timer T1 is selected to be longer than that of a timer T2. Therefore, the forward operating time determined by the delay time of the timer Tl, namely, the forward travelling amount, .is greater than the backward operating time determined by the delay time of the timer T2, namely, the backward travelling amount. Accordingly, the material C to be processed is fed in a forward direction by the difference between these travelling amounts for each reciprocating action. Preferably, it is better to select the feeding amount I in one reciprocating operation to be approximately the seam interval L of the processed material C divided by an integer n.

The output of the counter CT has been set to the count of the predetermined integer n. Accordingly, when the count has stepped, during repetition of the forward and backward operation, to the predetermined counter output, the output is obtained in the counter CT to cause the limit switches ACL to operate. Accordingly, the relay Y1 turns on and b contactYlbZ turns off. Energization of the forward/backward time setting circuit is interrupted. At the same time, the a contact Yla turns on, the on-delay-timer TYl turns on, and the relay Y3 turns on after the delay time. The a contact Y3al turns on upon turning on of the relay Y3, and the seam detection bus DB is energized. Referring to FIG. 3, the seam detection bus DB is connected not only to the seam detection circuit, but also to the backward bus BB through a branch line BR. Energization of the bus DB enables the seam detection circuit. Also, as

described hereinbefore, the relay Y1 turns on, and the b contact Y1b2 turns off. Accordingly, the relays R1 and R2 turn off, and the buses F8 and BB are not energized through the contacts Rlal and R2a1. Instead, the backward bus BB is energized through the branch line BR as described hereinbefore. Accordingly, the switches MBl to MBn turn on to reversely rotate the motor, and the material C to be processed begins to perform the n-th backward operation. Upon the seams C1 to Cu reaching the squeezing rollers A1 to An, the limit switches LS1 to LSn turn on individually and the relays X1 to Xn turn on individually, whereby they are self-held by their contacts Xla to Xna, respectively. It was assumed that all the seams C1 to Cu are adapted so as to be located in all the corresponding squeezing rollers A1 to An. However, since there are errors in seam intervals, and accumulated slippages between the material to be processed and the rollers during the reciprocating operation thereof, the respective times required for the seams to reach the corresponding rollers is different. Accordingly, the limit switches, LS1 to LSn turn on in response to the seams, starting with the seam which reached its corresponding roller earliest, and the corresponding relays X1 to Xn are self-held on. Correspondingly, b contacts Xlb to Xnb turn off individually, and the switches MBl to MBn turn off, and the motors for the respective squeezing rollers stop in corresponding succession.

As described hereinbefore, the relay Y3 turns on after the given delay time of turning on of the relay TYl, and the contact Y3a2 is on. Accordingly, upon reaching of all the seams to the corresponding rollers, all the switches MRI to MBn turn off and all the b contact mbl to mbn (FlG. 2) turn on, and the relay Y2 turns on. In other words, a logical product of all the seams reaching the corresponding rollers is provided. Correspondingly, the contact Y2a turns on, and the ondelay-timer TY2 turns on. The contact TY2a turns on after the delay time of the timer TY2 to cause the resetting coil ACR of the counter CT to turn on thereby to reset the counter CT. Correspondingly, the counter limit switch ACL turns off and the relay Y1 turns off. The b contact Y1b2 turns on as a result of turning off of the relay Y1 and thus the forward/backward time setting circuit is enabled, while a contact Yla turns off and the on-delay-timer TYl turns off. Thus, one entire operation cycle is completed and the material C to be processed is restored to the initial condition in a state where it has been fed by the length of the interval portion of the seam, or one unit length of the roll of cloth. Again, the relay R1, the timer T1 and the T11 turn on and thereafter the same operation is repeated. The material C to be processed is fed in a forward direction only by the interval L of the seam for each single opera tion cycle, and the processing and squeezing are performed during this period.

It is to be understood that the delay time of the timer TYl is selected to be a time period up to the n-th backward operation after the n-th forward operation has started. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the timer TY2 is provided and the delay time of the timer TY2 is chosen such that all the motors are suspended so as to detect the seam and the rotation by inertia of the motor at that time stops completely, thereafter the a contact TY2a turning on thereby to operate the resetting coil ACR of the counter CT. Accordingly, all the motors suspend the n-th backward movement, responsive to the corresponding, individual seam detections, and the next cycle of first forward operation is initiated, without unreasonable reversing driving forces exerted to the motor or the feeding mechanism.

Suspension of the entire system can be established by depression of a push button PBZ. Thus, self-holding condition of the relay R0 is released, and a contact R02 turns off, whereby energization of the forward/backward time delay circuit, the forward/backward driving circuit and the seam detection circuit is interrupted.

As understood from the above description, fundamentally the present invention takes advantage of the fact that the continuously connected textile fabric has a seam at each predetermined interval and that the thickened portion of the seam is suitable for detection. For this purpose, in the system of the present invention, a plurality of means for detecting such detectable. portions are placed in series, and the continuously connected textile fabric is fed so that the detectable portion may be detected by these detecting means. The processing chambers are provided along the feeding path and the interval between detecting means through the feeding path is substantially commensurate with the interval between the detectable portions. When a plurality of detectable portions are located in the respective corresponding detecting meanspositions, all the tion, the material C to be processed is gradually fed in a forward direction during reciprocating operation thereof. Since the time required for the detectable portion to reach an adjacent detecting means through the gradual feeding thereof is different due to slipping, etc., between the rollers and the material to be processed, the feeding drive, i.e., the advance, of the detectable portion to an adjacent detecting means and suspension of further advancing; are adapted to be effected individually in response to the detecting means. Upon detection of the detectable portion by means of all the detecting means and upon suspension of further driving by each of the motors, the driving operation thereof starts again simultaneously in a condition where all the seams have been fed by the interval of the seam in an advancing direction up to respectively next adjacent detection positions.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the detecting means are normally disabled, but are enabled after the predetermined number of times of reciprocating action, preferably, during the backward travelling period. The detecting means have been adapted such that in the final stage of the backward driving operation, all the detectable portions are positioned at the place of the detecting means, thereafter the forward driving operation starting again simultaneously.

Thus, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the detecting means are enabled only when the positions, at a forward start time, of the detectable portions have approached an adjacent detecting means while the reciprocating movement is repeated, thereby to effect a simultaneous start, or initiation of the feeding condition for all the intervals or unit lengths of cloth, as defined by the detectable portions for the next advancing cycle. The present invention'is advantageous in that the frequency of control for the simultaneous start of of the feeding condition is substantially smaller than the number of reciprocating operations, with the result that processing irregularities on the processed material are substantially reduced.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of the forward/backward time setting circuit of a preferred embodiment for use in lieu of that shown in FIG. 2. The left half of FIG. 4A shows the same magnetic counter as that of FIG. 2 by designating the same portions by the same reference characters and the right half of FIG. 4A shows an improved forward time setting circuit, while FIG. 4B shows an improved backward time setting circuit.

In operation, upon depression of the push button PBI the relay R turns on, so that it is self-held, as mentioned previously. Simultaneously, a contact R02 turns on, and thus the forward time setting circuit (the right I side of FIG. 4A) and the backward time setting circuit (FIG. 4B) and the forward/backward drive circuit of FIG. 3 become in an enabled condition. Since b contacts Y1b2, Rl2b and R16b are on, a relay R11 is energized. Upon energization of the relay R11, a

contact Rllal turns on and the forward bus FB (upper right of FIG. 4A and upper left of FIG. 3) is energized. Energization of the forward bus FB results in the abovementioned forward operation.

Energization of the relay R11 also causes a contact R11a2 and R11a3 to turn on. The a contact Rl1a2 is connected through a limit switch FL for responding to the number of times of the forward operation and through b contact R13b of a relay R13 to be described subsequently to a counting coil ACF of a magnetic counter CTF for counting the number of times of the forwardoperation. The limit switch FL is provided associated with any one of the squeezing rollers Al to An shown in FIG. 1 and is actuated in response to rotation of the roller, say once per each rotation thereof. Therefore, throughout the forward operation mode, the limit switch FL turns on once per each rotation of the roller to energize the counting coil ACF, so that the number of forward rotation of the roller is counted. When the number of forward rotation reaches a predetermined number, an output is obtained from the magnetic counter CTF to cause a contact ACFL to turn on. Upon turning on of the contact ACFL, a relay R12 is energized and thus b contact Rl2b turns off, and therefore the relay R11 turns off. Deenergization of the relay R11 makes the a contact Rllal turn off, so that the forward operation mode is suspended. Since the relay R12 was energized, as described previously, a contact R12a (FIG. 4B) has been on and thus a relay R16 has been energized and self-held on by means of a contact Rl6a. Simultaneously, b contact Rl6b'turns off (FIG. 4A), which assures that the relay R 11 remains off until b contact T12b (FIG. 43) turns off a predetermined delay time after energization of an on-delay-timer T12, i.e., for a period of time commensurate with a sum of the backward operation time to be described subsequently and the abovementioned delay time.

Upon turning on of the contact ACFL, as mentioned above, an on-delay-timer T11 is energized, and thus a contact Tlla (FIG. 43) turns onafter the delay time of the timer T11. Upon turning on of the contact T1 la, a relay R13 is energized to turn'a contact R13a1 on, so that a relay R14 is energized and is selfheld by means of a contact R14a3. Simultaneously, a contact R14al (FIG. 4B) turns on, so that the backward bus BB is energized, which results in the backward operation mode. At the same time, a contact Rl4a2 turns on, so that a reset coil ACFR of the counter CTF is energized to' reset the stepping of the counter CTF. Simultaneously, an on-delay-timer TFR is energized and b contact TFRb thereof turns off after a relatively short delay time thereof, so that further undesired energization of the reset coil ACFR is interrupted.

The a contact R13a2 (FIG. 4B) turns on with the abovementioned turning on of the relay R13. The a contact Rl3a2 is connected through a limit switch BL responsive to the number of times of backward operation and through b contact Rllb of the relay R 11 to a counting coil ACB of a magnetic counter CTB for counting the number of times of thebackward operation. The limit switch BL is also provided associated with any one of the squeezing rollers A1 to An shown in FIG. 1 and is actuated in response to rotation of the roller, say once per each rotation of the roller. Therefore, throughout the backward operation mode, the limit switch BL turns on once per each rotation of the roller to energize the counting coil ACB, so that the number of times of backward operation of the roller is counted. When the number of times of the backward operation reaches a predetermined number of times, an output is provided at the magnetic counter CTB to cause a contact ACBL to turn on. Upon turning on of the contact ACBL, a relay Rl5 is energized and b contact RlSb turns off, so that the self-holding of the relay R14 is released. Upon deenergization of the relay R14 0 contact R14a1 (FIG. 4A) turns off and thus the backward operation mode is suspended. With turning on of the contact ACBL the on-delay-timer T12 is energized and b contact T12b turns off after a predetermined delay time thereof to release the self-holding of the relay R16.

With deenergization of the relay R16, the b contact R161) (FIG. 4A) turns on and the relay R11 is energized. At the same time a contact Rlla3 (FIG. 4B) turns on, so that the reset coil ACBR is energized to reset the stepping of the counter CTB. At the same time the on-delay-timer TBR is energized and b contact TBRb turns off after a relatively short delay time thereof so that further undesired energization of the reset coil ACBR is interrupted.

Thus one full cycle of the forward and backward operation modes is completed, and thereafter-the same operation is repeated. The operation of the forwardlbackward drive circuit in response to energization and deenergization of the forward bus PB and backward bus BB was already described with reference to FIG. 3.

From the foregoing description, it is understood that in the FIG. 4 embodiment the time setting of the forward operation mode and the backward operation mode is effected as a function of the number of times of rotation of the roller. Therefore, it is also understood that the preset count value of the counter CTF should be selected to be larger than that of the counter CTB in order to make larger the forward travelling amount as compared with the backward travelling amount.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a seam detection circuit of a preferred embodiment for use in the alternative to that of the FIG. 3 embodiment. According to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the seam detection bus is energized and the seam detection circuit is enabled immediately after the magnetic counter CT counted a predetermined number of times of reciprocating operation. Therefore, it could happen that in such an embodiment the seam detection circuit is enabled even after a seam has passed a roller position. In such a situation it could be that two unit lengths of the material to be processed would be in a single processing chamber. FIG. 5 embodiment comprises an improvement for eliminating such an undesired condition. With particular reference to the right half of FIG. 5 illustration, between the seam detection bus DB and the ground bus GND a relay X is connected through a limit switch LSO shunted by a contact X0a, the relay X0 being shunted by an on-delay-timer T0. The seam detection bus DB] of the seam detection circuit shown in FIG. is connected through a contact T00 of the timer T0 to the seam detection bus DB. The limit switch LSO is ganged with any one of the limit switches LS1 to LSn. The delay time of the timer T0 is selected to be shorter than a time period required for a single travelling amount of the forward operation or the backward operation, and preferablythe delay time is selected to be approximately a half of such a time period required for a single travelling amount. The other por tions of the FIG. 5 embodiment are the same as those of the FIG. 3 embodiment and therefore'are designated by the same reference characters.

In operation, when all the seams are reaching the corresponding rollers after a predetermined number of times of reciprocating operation, the seam detection bus DB is at first energized. Upon turning on of the limit switch LSO in response to the arrival of the corresponding seam at the corresponding roller with which the limit switch LSO is ganged, the relay X0 is energized and is self-held by means of a contact XOa thereof. However, since the a contact T041 is off at that time, the seam detection bus DB1 remains deenergized. When the material to be processed is further fed and the seams have further progressed up to an approximate intermediate position between the adjacent rollers in the abovementioned embodiment, a contact T0a of the timer T0 turns on and the bus DB1 is energized. Thus in the FIG. 5 embodiment the bus DB1 is energized In the foregoing description, the material to be processed by the apparatus of the present invention has been expressed as a continuously connected textile fabric. However, such words a textile fabric should not be construed by way of limitation, but should be construed in a broadest sense in the light of the objects of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the words a textile fabric also cover, for example, a woven, knitted, plaited, braided, or felt material such as cloth, lace, hosiery and the like.

In the foregoing embodiment of the invention, limit switches were provided at rollers for responding to the seam of the material to be processed. Alternatively, however, photoelectric switching device may be used in response to displacement caused by arrival of the seams. The abovementioned embodiment is also adapted such that the seam is detected only when the material to be processed is fed by the length commensurate with an interval between the adjacent seams of the material or a roll, i.e., unit length of the material. Alternatively, however, the system may be adapted such that the seam is detected after the material is fed by two or more unit lengths of the material. It would also be possible to make many changes and modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the true scope of the present invention is covered only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for successively processing a continuous textile fabric having detectable portions at predetermined intervals, comprising means defining a feeding path for feeding along the length of the path said continuous textile fabric,

a plurality of detecting means disposed in successively displaced portions along said feeding path for detecting corresponding ones of said detectable portions of said continuous textile fabric,

said feeding path defining means including a plurality of feeding means for feeding said continuous textile fabric and respectively corresponding to said plurality of detecting means,

means provided along said feeding path for processing said continuous textile fabric,

means for individually controlling said feeding means and responsive to said detecting means to disable said feeding means, individually, in response to detection of a detectable portion of said fabric by the respectively corresponding ones of said detecting means, said controlling means further being responsive to disablement of all of said plurality of feeding means to enable, a predetermined'time following said disablement, said feeding means for again feeding said continuous textile fabric along said path.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said feed controlling means comprises first feed controlling means for enabling said feeding means to feed said continuous textile fabric in a first direction, and

second feed controlling means for enabling said feeding means to feed said continuous textile fabric in a second direction.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said feed controlling means is adapted to enable said plurality of feeding means simultaneously to feed said fabric in said first direction, and

said detecting means is enabled only during enablement of said feeding means for feeding in the second direction.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, which further comprises means for enabling said detecting means only in response to a predetermined number of reciprocating feeding operations in the first and second directions.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, in which there is further providing initiating means for enabling said detecting means, said initiating means being responsive to detection of a given detectable portion of said fabrics, preceding a successive detectable portion to be detected subsequently by said detecting means, for enabling said detecting means to detect said successive detectable portion, prior to said fabric being advanced by said feeding means to present said successive detectable portion to said detecting means.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, which further comprises means for alternately enabling said firstdirection feeding means and said second-direction feeding means.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said alternate enabling means responds to an output of said detecting means.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said alternate enabling means comprises a timer which sets the operation times of the feeding means for the respective first and second directions.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6, which further comprises a counter for counting the number of reciprocating feed operations in the first and second directions, said counter producing an output upon attaining a count of a predetermined number, and

means for enabling said detecting means in response to the said output of said counter.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6, in which said alternate enabling means comprises means for determining the amount of the textile fabric fed by said feeding means in said first direction.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10, in which said feeding means comprises roller means for feeding said continuously connected textile fabric, and

said determining means comprises means for determining the number of rotations of said roller means.

12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the amount of travel of the fabric along the feeding path in the first direction of the feeding operation is set to be larger than that in the second direction of the feeding operation, so that the continuous textile fabric is advanced in the first direction by a predetermined amount as a result of a predetermined number of said first and second directions of reciprocating feed operations.

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein I the distance along the feeding path between adjacent ones of the successive detecting means is subtantially equal to the predetermined interval between said detectable portions, and said predetermined interval is selected to be approximately an integral multiple of the difference between the amount of travel in said first and second directions of the reciprocating feed operations. 14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the distance between adjacent ones of the successive detecting means, as disposed along said feeding path, is substantially equal to the predetermined inter- I val between said detectable portions.

15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said feed controlling means comprises means responsive to the logical product of the detection by all of said detecting means, of the corresponding detectable portions of a fabric being fed along said path.

16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said processing means comprises a plurality of liquid processing means disposed along said feed path intermediate respectively corresponding successive ones of said feeding means, andsaid feeding means comprises squeezing rollers.

17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein said plurality of detecting means comprises individual detecting means corresponding to each of said squeezing rollers.

18. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said detectable portions comprise seams of the continuous textile fabric, and

said detecting means comprises means responsive to the increased thickness of said fabric at said seams.

said detectable element. 

1. An apparatus for successively processing a continuous textile fabric having detectable portions at predetermined intervals, comprising means defining a feeding path for feeding along the length of the path said continuous textile fabric, a plurality of detecting means disposed in successively displaced portions along said feeding path for detecting corresponding ones of said detectable portions of said continuous textile fabric, said fEeding path defining means including a plurality of feeding means for feeding said continuous textile fabric and respectively corresponding to said plurality of detecting means, means provided along said feeding path for processing said continuous textile fabric, means for individually controlling said feeding means and responsive to said detecting means to disable said feeding means, individually, in response to detection of a detectable portion of said fabric by the respectively corresponding ones of said detecting means, said controlling means further being responsive to disablement of all of said plurality of feeding means to enable, a predetermined time following said disablement, said feeding means for again feeding said continuous textile fabric along said path.
 2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said feed controlling means comprises first feed controlling means for enabling said feeding means to feed said continuous textile fabric in a first direction, and second feed controlling means for enabling said feeding means to feed said continuous textile fabric in a second direction.
 3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said feed controlling means is adapted to enable said plurality of feeding means simultaneously to feed said fabric in said first direction, and said detecting means is enabled only during enablement of said feeding means for feeding in the second direction.
 4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, which further comprises means for enabling said detecting means only in response to a predetermined number of reciprocating feeding operations in the first and second directions.
 5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, in which there is further providing initiating means for enabling said detecting means, said initiating means being responsive to detection of a given detectable portion of said fabrics, preceding a successive detectable portion to be detected subsequently by said detecting means, for enabling said detecting means to detect said successive detectable portion, prior to said fabric being advanced by said feeding means to present said successive detectable portion to said detecting means.
 6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, which further comprises means for alternately enabling said firstdirection feeding means and said second-direction feeding means.
 7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said alternate enabling means responds to an output of said detecting means.
 8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said alternate enabling means comprises a timer which sets the operation times of the feeding means for the respective first and second directions.
 9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6, which further comprises a counter for counting the number of reciprocating feed operations in the first and second directions, said counter producing an output upon attaining a count of a predetermined number, and means for enabling said detecting means in response to the said output of said counter.
 10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6, in which said alternate enabling means comprises means for determining the amount of the textile fabric fed by said feeding means in said first direction.
 11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10, in which said feeding means comprises roller means for feeding said continuously connected textile fabric, and said determining means comprises means for determining the number of rotations of said roller means.
 12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the amount of travel of the fabric along the feeding path in the first direction of the feeding operation is set to be larger than that in the second direction of the feeding operation, so that the continuous textile fabric is advanced in the first direction by a predetermined amount as a result of a predetermined number of said first and second directions of reciprocating feed operations.
 13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein the distance along the feeding path between adjacent ones of the successive detecting means is subtantially equal to the predetermined interval between said detectable portions, and said predetermined interval is selected to be approximately an integral multiple of the difference between the amount of travel in said first and second directions of the reciprocating feed operations.
 14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the distance between adjacent ones of the successive detecting means, as disposed along said feeding path, is substantially equal to the predetermined interval between said detectable portions.
 15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said feed controlling means comprises means responsive to the logical product of the detection by all of said detecting means, of the corresponding detectable portions of a fabric being fed along said path.
 16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said processing means comprises a plurality of liquid processing means disposed along said feed path intermediate respectively corresponding successive ones of said feeding means, and said feeding means comprises squeezing rollers.
 17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein said plurality of detecting means comprises individual detecting means corresponding to each of said squeezing rollers.
 18. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said detectable portions comprise seams of the continuous textile fabric, and said detecting means comprises means responsive to the increased thickness of said fabric at said seams.
 19. An apparatus in accordance with claim 18, in which said detecting means comprise photoelectric switching devices.
 20. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which each said detectable portion comprises a detectable element attached to said textile fabric, and said detecting means comprises means responsive to said detectable element. 